“Weddings are a big business,” says Daniel Levine. “Wedding planners and coordinators need to stay on top of the latest trends to really capitalize on what’s out there.”

Gay marriage is growing across the United States. Through court rulings and legislative action, a growing number of same-sex couples have secured the right to marry. Now, destinations are scrambling to cash in on the big business this new crop of newlyweds is generating. Traditional romantic tourist destinations, like Niagara Falls, are seeing a major upswing in wedding dollars. Big name hotels in major cities are also scrambling to book more wedding business. This trend is staying consistent for now, as a glut of long-standing same-sex relationships look to tie the knot. The same can be said for resorts around the Caribbean.

The times are changing for straight couples as well. Around the world, couples are getting married later in life. For example, the average couple in Taiwan is 30 before they tie the knot. As they choose to get married, more and more couples are opting for secular ceremonies, often combining their nuptials and reception into one venue instead of separating the two events. Church weddings are still popular, of course, but a growing number of couples are looking for different options.

Other wedding traditions are being reinvented as well. The engagement ring and the wedding band are changing. The engagement ring for men is starting to appear and grow in popularity. Bands that serve other purposes, such as a bottle opener or doubling as a saw, are becoming more common. When it comes to wedding pictures, more couples are turning to crowd sourced photos and hash tags to commemorate the big day.

“Couples are always looking to be different,” says trends expert Daniel Levine. “They’re on the lookout for what’s new and exciting and what will make their big day stand out from all of the others. That’s how these trends seem to change so rapidly.”

About Daniel LevineDaniel is a trends expert and keynote speaker who specializes in the latest consumer trends. He collects trends from around the world and shares them with audiences and corporations to help increase sales and visibility. Learn more at http://daniellevine.com